Ford out of England running

Former Great Britain international happy with rugby union role

Last updated: 2nd December 2009   Subscribe to RSS Feed

Ford out of England running

Ford: Staying in union

I'm very happy with my job with England rugby union. We've got a job to do, ultimately for the World Cup in 2011

Mike Ford
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Mike Ford has ruled himself out of the running to become England's next rugby league coach.

The former Wigan and Castleford scrum-half had been installed over the weekend as the favourite to fill the vacancy.

However the 44-year-old has rejected the idea of a return to the 13-man game, insisting he's happy in his current role as England rugby union defence coach.

Ford represented Great Britain in his playing career and then enjoyed a stint in charge of Oldham, his hometown club, before switching codes.

Surprised

"My name got linked with the job, it gathered momentum and the bookies made me favourite," he said. "I was surprised, I don't know where it came from.

"I'm very happy with my job with England rugby union. We've got a job to do, ultimately for the World Cup in 2011.

"I just want everybody to by crystal clear I'm very happy with where I am."

Ford is the latest frontrunner to distance himself from the job. Wakefield boss John Kear has played down suggestions he could be a leading candidate to take over in charge of the national team.

England are searching for a new head coach after Tony Smith decided to step down following this autumn's Four Nations tournament.

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Comments (1)

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Lee Kenwright says...

I think john kear would make an ideal replacement for tony smith who stepped down to take full charge of warrington which i am really happy about and was the right decision. john kear has improved over the years as a manager with limited resources and gettin the best out of his players on big gamesand deserves a chance to coach the national team if he wants the job that is.

Posted 12:16 26th November 2009
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